Turkish army and Free Syrian Army terrorist group are advancing toward Afrin, and they currently 1.5 kilometres southeast of the city centre, Anadolu said, citing military sources.

According to the media outlet, a total of 1,100 square kilometres of the Afrin region have been "cleared" of Kurdish forces during the operation.

Hundreds of civilians fled a Turkish-led advance on Afrin on Monday, a Britain-based monitor said. "More than 2,000 civilians have arrived in the area of Nubul" controlled by pro-Syrian government forces after fleeing the enclave, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). "Several hundred more are still on the roads" heading out of the region, the SOHR said.

Turkish army officially declared on January 20 the launch of an offensive targeting the positions of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and People's Protection Units (YPG) in Afrin region in northwest Syria. The Turkish AKP government's excuse was the threat against national interests and border security.

The Observatory says more than 200 civilians have been killed since the Afrin battle began, but Turkish AKP government denies the reports and says it takes the "utmost care" to avoid civilian casualties.